struggling, singly, against the combined forces CHAP. X. of France, Spain, Holland, and the American Statute of 1782. States-some farther overtures towards the People of Ireland became expedient. Geo. 3. c. 24. Accordingly, another Act was passed by the 21 and 22 Irish Legislature, permitting Catholics to take or transfer, by devise, descent, purchase and otherwise (as Protestants might) any Lands, or interests in Lands, for any term whatsoever. It also permitted them to keep horses-to take Further Relief, houses and to dwell in Limerick and Galway condition. and to enjoy (subject to some exceptions) certain other rights, theretofore denied to them by Law. { But this Statute, like that of 1778, is merely conditional; and extends relief only to such Catholics as shall take and subscribe the Oath and Declaration of 1773, in the manner directed by that Statute. upon the same 21 & 22 Gen. 3. The same condition was prescribed by another Statute of the same year, (1782) permitting ch. 62. Sect.. 1. Catholics, under certain limitations, to keep schools, to instruct other Catholics-and to act Sect. 5. as guardians to their own children, or to those of other Catholics. Also, by another Statute, (1790) permitting 30 Geo. 3. them to dispose of the custody and tuition of c. 20. sect. 16. CHAP. x. their children, under age, to any person-except Again, by another Statute, (1792) quali32 Geo... 21.fying them to be Barristers, Solicitors, AttorFurther Relief, nies, &c.—and withdrawing certain prohibitions ale conditionat, theretofore existing, with respect to Marriages between Catholics and Protestants, Apprentices of Attornies, Schoolmasters' licences, &c. 33 Geo. 3. 1703. Condition annexed. The latest Statute, (that of 1793) professes to remove all forfeitures, incapacities and penalties, then affecting the Catholics of Ireland-subject to the numerous exceptions contained in that Statute. But it provides at the same time, "That no Catholic shall take 66 any benefit under it, unless he shall first have "taken and subscribed the Oath and Declara"tion contained and set forth in that Statute, "and also the Oath appointed by the former "Statute (of 1773)-in some one of his " Majesty's Four Courts in Dublin, or at the "General Sessions of the Peace, or at an adjournment thereof, to be holden for the county, city, or borough, where such Catho"lic doth inhabit or dwell; or before the going Judge or Judges of Assize, in the county "where such Catholic doth inhabit and dwell, "in open Court." "The name, title, and addition, of such chap. x. qualifying Catholic, are to be entered upon Sect. 15. "the Rolls of the respective Courts: these Statute of 1793 "Rolls are to be annually deposited in the "Rolls Office in Dublin, and there preserved : "and the Master of the Rolls, or his Deputy, upon receiving a fee of one shilling, is to grant to each qualifying Catholic a certificate "of such qualification." every Catholic subscribe the neces- Oaths and sub Declarations of 1773 and 1793. 5. Such being the enactments, by Necessary for which these Oaths are prescribed in Ireland, to take and it appears to be advisable, and even sary, for every Catholic to take and scribe the Oaths and Declarations contained in both Statutes (1773 and 1793) in the manner appointed by the last-mentioned Statute. Thus see Postę only can he effectually obviate all questions touching the extent of the relief to be obtained, and all doubts of his having qualified within the time limited by preceding Statutes. Sect. 9, The Catholic, who neglects to take and Consequences of subscribe these Oaths and Declarations in due manner and form, remains subject to all® the dreadful barbarity of the old Popery Code. neglect herein ༤ CHAP. X. 10 W. 3. c. 13. 7 Geo. 2. c. 5, 7 Will. 3. ch. 4 and 5. 2 Geo. 1. 6 Geo. 1. ch. 6. 1 Geo. 2. ch. 9 and 20. 2 Geo. I. ch. 10 and 19, 66 "He is disabled from acting as a Guardian→→→ "from practising as a Barrister, Solicitor or Attorney from voting at any election of a "Member of Parliament-from having or using any arms, gunpowder, &c. in any manner: from having or keeping any horse exceeding £5. in value: from keeping school, or procuring education for his child "at home from sending him beyond seas "for education, or otherwise His younger brother may deprive him of the legal rights "of primogeniture-His eldest or only son may reduce his fee simple estate to a mere life "estate-Any of his children, conforming to "the Established Religion, may force him to "surrender, under the name of a liberal allowance, a part of his landed property. "He cannot dispose of his Estate by Will2 Anne, ch. 6. or lend money upon the security of Land-or & Anne, ch. 3. Consequences of "in any manner acquire, take, or receive, interest in Land-except indeed a rack"rent leasehold for 31 years.' " any In fine, he remains exposed to numberless neglect, to take penalties, fines, and taxes-and to all the Oaths, &c &c. varied horrors of that merciless Code, which has the Qualification long been branded with the reprobation of mankind, as perpetrating all the mischiefs and atrocities that can possibly be perpetrated CHAP. x. in cold blood. No indulgence infirm, ignorant, No indulgence-no exception-is allowed in towards persons favour of persons, who, from bodily infirmity, &c. are unable to take and subscribe these Oaths and Declarations publicly in open Court—or of persons, who may have lost, or been unable to obtain, Certificates of their Qualificationsor who may have happened to remain wholly ignorant of the Laws, which annex such conditions to the enjoyment of property by Catholics. How much more reasonable in itself-more just and decorous towards estimable citizens-if This condition these Oaths were prescribed, like the Test Oaths, to those only to whom public Offices or Places of trust should be committed-not imposed upon every Catholic in Ireland as the price of his exemption from cruel inflictions—and as a condition precedent to his enjoyment of even his present miserable existence in his native Land! unreasonable. conditional. It is plain, then, that (notwithstanding the Relief, only vaunted liberality of the Irish Legislature) the partial relief granted to the Catholics has been merely conditional-and that, whilst the persons and properties of the Protestants are placed beyond hazard or restraint, those of the Се PART II. |